TELL CITY — New court documents have revealed the harrowing living conditions surrounding the death of a 2-year-old boy in Southern Indiana.
Trevor Reichard-Hayes, 39, and Katherine Carter, 31, face multiple felony charges, including murder, after investigators discovered their 2-year-old son, Erik Reichard, had succumbed to extreme malnutrition and neglect.
Police allege the child was so starved that he resorted to eating drywall and pieces of his own diapers in a desperate attempt to survive
On March 31, Tell City officers responded to a 911 call regarding a child not breathing on Guttenberg Lane. Upon arrival, they found the 2-year-old boy on the living room floor. Despite life-saving efforts, the child was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the boy’s physical condition was “extremely skinny” and malnourished, with over 40 sores or insect bites visible on his skin. An autopsy later revealed the child weighed only 15 pounds—approximately half the weight expected for a healthy child of his age.
During the investigation, medical examiners found materials in the boy’s digestive system consistent with drywall, paint chips, and diaper fragments. Police noted that Katherine Carter admitted the boy had been eating his diapers, a behavior officers attributed to severe hunger.
A search of the home uncovered what investigators described as “deplorable” conditions. Officers found feces and urine on the floors of the children’s bedrooms. Police day insects were present throughout the home. Large sections of drywall and paint had been picked away and consumed.
The parents reportedly told police they had not checked on the child for over 14 hours before calling emergency services.
Two other children were rescued from the residence by the Indiana Department of Child Services. One of the siblings was immediately transported to a local hospital, suffering from severe malnutrition and dehydration. Both children remain in state custody for their safety and medical recovery.
Reichard-Hayes and Carter have been charged with murder, neglect of a dependent resulting in death, and neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injury.
The pair is scheduled to make their first court appearance today, Tuesday, April 7. Under Indiana law, a murder conviction can carry a sentence of 45 to 65 years, while a Level 1 felony neglect carries a maximum of 40 years.
If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, the Indiana Department of Child Services operates a 24-hour hotline. You can report concerns anonymously by calling 1-800-800-5556.
